Hypnotherapeutic Use of the Time Line: Activation of Resources and Treatment of Traumas

Already found in traditional healing rituals, the root concepts of the time line as a psychotherapeutic technique can be seen in Milton Erickson´swork on pseudo-orientation in time as a way to accomplish therapeutic goals by accessing the creative possibilities in us. Based on his research the concepts of timeline was further developed by J. Grinder and R. Bandler, T. James and W.Woodsmall, R. Dilts and other therapists.The time line is considered as the structure in which our memories are encoded and stored andcan be visualized as a line from birththrough present into future. All individual experiences of the patient are lined up on this line.In trance, working with dissociated and associated states and time regression and progression, it is possible to activate resources, change the negative influence of traumatic experiences, and experience the desired resourceful state in the future.In Hypnotherapy, this effective technique can be used by sole imagination of the timeline or by using a rope and different kinds of ground anchors to deepen the process.In theworkshop,the theoretical background is going to be explained, and the case studied and the technique will be demonstrated.